Depression

Avoid the Stigma and Approach This Problem As a Medical Condition: Help for a Common Malady

Significant depression affects many millions of Americans and is one of the most common mental health disorders. Women are especially likely to seek care for it. This is partly because certain mood disorders, including major depression, and dysthymia, affect twice as many women as men.

Depression is a painful and often debilitating condition that has serious mental and physical impact. It can be devastating to quality of life, and it is a major contributing factor to other types of psychosocial and medical issues, such as lost work time, substance abuse and other lifestyle risk factors, family and relationship issues, and risk of related chronic disease.

In addition, women experience particular types of stress that can be a risk factor for depression and other conditions. However the specific causes of depression in women are not fully known. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that research is currently focusing on reproductive, hormonal, genetic, and other biological factors; abuse and oppression; interpersonal factors; and certain psychological and personality characteristics of women.

The staff of Aria's Center for Gynecology & Women's health can talk with patients about depression, and screen and evaluate for this condition. The experienced and caring clinicians can diagnose and offer treatment, or referral for treatment, for depression.

No one should ever feel alone in dealing with depression. Help is available from caring, understanding professionals.

The center strongly encourages women to seek help, if they believe they are suffering from significant depression, in part because this condition can affect so many other aspects of life and health. If a patient's history and symptoms indicate depression, the caring providers at Aria's women's center can offer medical therapy or referral to a behavioral health specialist for therapeutic counseling, medical therapy, or both.

Many other types of physical and emotional conditions can contribute to depression, so often additional medical testing, or evaluation by a mental-health professional, can be beneficial.

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